[Special Screenings] Local Showings of 'The Magnificent Seven,' '1984,' 'West Side Story,' More

The Magnificent Seven
This classic Western remake of Kurosawa'sThe Seven Samurai concerns a beseiged town that hires a band of renegades to help defend their property. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701; www.regencymovies.com. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $6.50.

Also Showing:

1984
George Orwell: journalist, novelist . . . psychic? Yes, when Orwell published 1984 in 1949, he certainly had an inkling about the way the world was headed, but the politics of the Cold War and the successive 50-odd (and they have been odd) years turned out to follow pretty much the entire playbook of his seminal novel much closer than he could have ever feared. Yes, we all have a Big Brother now, but unlike the one Momma gave us, this guy is less interested in helping us change our oil and more interested in our voting records and sex lives. Michael Radford's cinematic adaptation of the novel remains pretty faithful to the book's bleak outlook, and while it's not exactly a fun night out at the cinema, 1984 stands as one of the better novel-to-film translations. And in this day and age, it might be wise to take notes. Humanities Instructional Building, Room 100, UC Irvine, Campus & W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Free.

The Dragon Peaks In Li River
This film brings the viewer to the Shaanxi province in the southern part of China. Tour the Guangzhou, the Li River in Yangshuo, and Yumman's capital, Kunming, with a day trip to the Stone Forest in Shilin. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600; www.bowers.org. Fri., 6:30 p.m. Free.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Frederick March gives an Oscar-winning performance in director Rouben Mamoulian's great film, based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story of a doctor battling his most evil urges. The Friday Film Forum will present a preshow program of shorts, cartoons and surprises. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.

Highwater
With three contests, within a 10-mile radius of beach, held within a six-week period over Thanksgiving to almost Christmas, during what are sometimes the biggest waves of the season, the Vans Triple Crown is revered as the contest to win for the year. This film, starring some of the biggest stars on the North Shore of Oahu, documents the fun.Surfing Heritage Foundation, 101 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, (949) 388-0313; www.surfingheritage.org. Sat., 8 p.m. $10-$50.

Jurassic ParkThe comfort of cushioned seats and controlled air temperatures might make the perfect movie ambiance for, say, Bambi, but an iconic film such as Jurassic Park was meant to be experienced in a jungle somewhere. Okay, perhaps setting up movie projectors in the Amazon isn't feasible, but imagine watching Jurassic Park on the beach with cool summer breezes grazing your face during those heart-thumping T-Rex scenes. Moonlight Movies on the Beach is screening Jurassic Park on Belmont Shore's Granada Beach, so bring a blanket and a beach chair, if you like. And if you're still clinging to the memory of those plush seats, perhaps the free parking and popcorn will help loosen the grip of those modern-movie-theater-loving claws. (Deborah Song) Granada Beach, 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 434-1542; www.alfredosbeachclub.com. Tues., dusk. Free.

My Mexican ShivaAfter Moishe's sudden and dramatic death, his family and friends gather to sit shiva and to celebrate his life. Set in a Jewish section of Mexico City, this dramatic comedy takes a humorous and unconventional look at the actions and reactions of this dysfunctional crowd. South Coast Cinema, 162 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971; www.lagunaartmuseum.org. Thurs., Aug. 21, 7 p.m. $20; Laguna Beach Film Society members, free.
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner's modern family classic about the lengths a swashbuckling young farmboy will go to for his love remains a treat for children and adults. Regency Rancho Niguel Cinemas, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-4359; www.regencymovies.com. Thurs., Aug. 21, 7:30 p.m. Call for cost.

West Side StoryTwo star-crossed lovers try to make their way against the backdrop of New York City street-gang turf war. Bring a blanket and snacks for this outdoor screening on the beach. There will be a dinner menu and free popcorn available. Cherry Beach, E. Ocean Blvd. & Junipero Ave., Long Beach, (562) 434-1542; www.alfredosbeachclub.com. Wed., dusk. Free.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Ah, marriage—the surest way to eventually destroy a couple. But perhaps we're being a bit cynical. After all, it does work out a little less than half the time. However, has anyone done any studies on the relative happiness of those "successful" marriages? In Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Mike Nichols directs Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (actually married to each other . . . at the time) as an aging couple whose only remaining kicks consist of drinking and verbally cutting each other down. George Segal and Sandy Dennis star as Nick and Honey, the young married couple (with the gild still on the lily) who visit their house for a nightcap. As the evening wears on and the abuse grows increasingly less charming, Nick and Honey must face the uncomfortable possibility that they may be glimpsing their own future. Bring a date! Bay Theatre, 340 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 431-9988; www.baytheatre.com. Sun., 6 p.m.; Mon. & Wed., 8 p.m. $5-$8.

Mail your press releases (and a videotape or disc, if available) to Special Screenings,OC Weekly, 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701-7417. Or send e-mail to tchild@ocweekly.com. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.